Principal Financial Group Inc. Trims Stock Position in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)

Principal Financial Group Inc. decreased its holdings in AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 60,652 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,235 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.15% of AutoNation worth $10,852,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of AutoNation by 2.2% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,845 shares of the company’s stock worth $509,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of AutoNation by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,436 shares of the company’s stock valued at $866,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN boosted its stake in AutoNation by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 3,100 shares of the company’s stock valued at $555,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in AutoNation by 0.5% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,130 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,413,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in AutoNation by 0.6% during the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 14,152 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,532,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.62% of the company’s stock.

AutoNation Trading Down 1.0 %

AutoNation stock opened at $171.85 on Monday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $169.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $169.69. AutoNation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $133.13 and a 52 week high of $197.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.81 billion, a PE ratio of 9.91, a PEG ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.80.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AN has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AutoNation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $145.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $210.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim cut their target price on AutoNation from $190.00 to $189.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on AutoNation from $190.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of AutoNation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoNation has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $199.29.

AutoNation Profile

AutoNation, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and parts and services, such as automotive repair and maintenance, and wholesale parts and collision services.